The Bleeding Edge: Flash Bang Band

Mellow, haunting, insistent, whimsical, the Flash Bang Band hails from Brighton, UK. Their beautifully wistful vocals are layered over a brilliant mashup of 70s prog sounds, 90s alternative influences, and just a hint of soul, and the songs improve with each listen. "I Want to Better Myself" and "The Rhythm Inside You" highly recommended.

No music on YouTube yet (keeping my fingers crossed!), so check out their MySpace page...and this nifty LED thingy:

Bleeding Edge: Lonely London Lad

Experimental music is alive and well, and bursting out the collective minds of Robert, Johnny, and Billy of Lonely London Lad. Their new double-cd is filled with treats, ranging from classical/techno-novelty-esque numbers like "Drop Dead Lizzie" to ambient tracks like "Buffalo Jump" to lovely White Town-reminiscent songs like "The Love" and "Madness." It may take a couple of listens to really wrap one's brain around it, but patience will be rewarded.

Some full tracks from the fabulous CD can be found on their MySpace page.





Special Bonus: "Another Planet," A Space Opera

Bleeding Edge: HALSTON!

HALSTON! bills themselves as "a two-man, one-take Cosmiche American Disco & Western band from Boston, Massachusetts," but that's only scratching the surface. A nearly undefinable mix, the band really needs to be heard to be understood. "From Here to Here" is a beautiful dance song with a bit of old-school flair, and "Big Boy Car" pulls out plaintive vocals and a mean keyboard. "Gurl Grope" hearkens back to the girl-band songs of the 60's--but for the excellent twist of male vocals, it could be a just-discovered Shangri-La's song.


If you listen to nothing else, listen to "Terry Jive," which weaves futuristic noises into a jazzy ditty, through their MySpace page. It's far and away better than any of this summer's radio hits.

"Crocodiles"



Newest trailer for Family Property, featuring music by HALSTON!

The Bleeding Edge: Exohxo

While the amazing Speaker Speaker is on hold, a couple of the guys from the band (Danny Oleson and Jasen Samford) together with Hiromi Dougherty, Benjamin Hunter, Jason Jordan, Kyle Porter, and Johnny Oglem, have been putting in time on Exohxo, which is decidedly more mellow--but no less delightful. Even though the songs tend toward an orchestral/folk feeling, there are at least a few rocking moments (for example, the end of "Same As Always" and the chorus of "Night Watchman"). "Dirty Plates" (highly recommended) has just a touch of the Weakerthans; the violin and vocals combination on "Beacons" (also highly recommended) reminds me of the best of melancholy mid-60s pop; and "Pink Fades to Gray" and "Untitled Song About Cats" pull in a hint of country twang to emphasize the wistful feel. I know that I have a thing for sad songs, and Exohxo certainly does sad well.

"Same as Always"


"Untitled Song About Cats"

Bleeding Edge: Gone Drinkin

Gone Drinkin's variety of straight-forward melodic hardcore is a perfect remedy for those pining for the days before punk became the new black. No recent news on them, but here's hoping for more.



Thank you, Nova Scotia!

Straight From The Tap: Strong Suit

Certain People I Know--"Strong Suit"



H/T to CYSTSFTS